NZ MP makes hilarious pro-gay marriage speech

New Zealand MP Maurice Williamson has become a viral star overnight after delivering a witty and uplifting pro-gay marriage speech.

Mr Williamson’s country became the first in the Asia-Pacific region to legalise same-sex marriage yesterday evening.

Speaking in support of MP Louisa Wall's Marriage Amendment Bill, Mr Williamson left other parliament members in stitches with his speech.

"I've had a reverend in my local electorate say, 'The gay onslaught will start the day this law is passed.' Well, we are struggling to know what the gay onslaught will look like," he told the parliament.

"We don't know whether it will come down the Pakuranga Highway as a series of troops or whether it be a gas that flows in over the electorate that blocks us all in."

He continued: "I also had a Catholic priest tell me I was supporting an unnatural act, I found that quite interesting coming from someone who has taken an oath of celibacy for his whole life. I haven't done it so I don't know what it's about."

After Mr Williamson had a few more digs at his opponents, his speech became more serious.

"All we are doing with this bill is allowing two people who love each other to have that love recognised by way of marriage," he said.

"We are not declaring nuclear war on a foreign state; we are not bringing a virus in that could wipe out our agriculture sector forever."

As the parliament voted overwhelmingly in favour of the bill, 77 to 44, supporters in the gallery broke out into song, singing the traditional Maori love song "Pokarekare Ana".